Zepher

"Alright, heroes, pick the part of the wall you like least. We're going through." The Minoid's drill whines to life and begins to tunnel through the wall. Dust fills the air. The process takes a good while, and most of the heroes inhale quite a few bits of stone before their done. With dry throats, they step through the tunnel and to the other side. They are in an ancient city. The cave is gloomy, but they can still make out hulking crumbling buildings. The buildings are not in the style of Eubric, but Hybros, having been to the ruins of Nu Mercution, and Nyx and Skrall, having explored Dastan, recognize some of the architecture. It is old. The nearest building looks like it could be in the oldest sections of Dastan. Heweyrt begins to climb the steps. "This alone warrants the trip," says Daneeka. "Where are we?"

"I spent a damn good amount of time around Wren, and I can tell you that if there's been more than one - which is the case if that's what's making the roads dangerous - than someone's gotta be making them. She was always going on about how they may just rip into our world on their own, but they mostly gotta be made. Least that's my understanding." He shrugs. "I didn't understand half the stuff coming out of that woman's mouth. But the other half was well worth a listen, so who the Hel knows." The heroes follow the trail until they come to a small mountain. They circle it until they come to a door. The house seems to be half built into the mountain. "So, do we knock, or what?" Before they have the chance to knock, however, someone bursts forth. OoC: Sorry guys, this seems to be yet another figure I totally forgot to take a picture for. I'll sort through the rest of my images and see if I took one... I swear I did, but as I feel we have discussed more often than not, my memory fails me occasionally. "Who are you?" he asks, his voice wavering. "Why do you come to this place? Leave here at once. It isn't safe. Nothing is safe. This island is not safe. Flee Uland. Flee. This is a place of death."

"The Regret's son and Masson's father. A damn family reunion is what this is turning out to be." Something tickles the back of Boomingham's memory. Walking around the Syndicate's hideout, a picture of a once happy family...

OoC: I'm going to give it a few more hours to see if Alexis or Nerwen have anything to say, and then move things along for real! "I figure I should come with you," says Mac as he ties his horse to a near-by post. "I travel this road enough that it's safety is something that I ought to look after." He grins. "Besides, it isn't right to ask you fine folks to save the day if I'm not willing to take a look at things myself." "The detour is no trouble for me! I haven't got a specific time I've got to be anywhere!"

"Yo man, you ain't got to do nothing, aight? You chose to do this, right? Boss man, it's your call, but I still think this dude a whack and has got a nasty 'tude. People are the bomb, ain't no reason to be mean to them. I think you talk to most people, they listen, right?"

Boomingham drinks a mead. "Yes, yes, we're ready-" he burps. "Hope you're not one of those oculoids trying to get us to teleport to a rather nasty place." He draws both swords. "But if you are, just know all you're doing is bringing death down upon your brothers."

Yes. If you read all the words on the page, you'll see the quest takes place 6 weeks before the teller tells it.

OoC: I was prepared to forward the quest, but Hybros still has to divide up the loot! Also, I have my camera card with me now - so Skrall/Nyx, the pictures are being retroactively added to your side quest. The Party Hybros (played by JimButcher) 53-year-old male imp Chi Monk *Hastened* *Immune to Cursed, Asleep, Blinded, Confused, Fragile, Weakened, Poisoned, Bleeding* *Immune to all elements except wood* *Intimidation* (Party Leader) Level: 31.5 Power Bonus: 1 (6 in front row) * Defense: 0 Health: 53/53 (7+30+12+3*) Ether: 25/34 (30+3) Gold: 1184 Equipment: Golden Armor (user is permanently hastened and cursed, fire-, water-, earth-, wind-, ice-, lightning-, darkness-, light-elemental, grants immunity to Sleep, Blindness, Confusion, Frailty, and Weakening; bodywear), The Black Hat (Suitable for anyone, grantsIntimidation, immune to darkness and cursed, headwear), Fighting Boots (Power +5 on the front row; suitable to barbarians, knights, rogues, beast warriors, chi monks, dragoons, harlots, infiltrators, marauders, skirmishers, regulators and winged warriors), Inventory: • Sword of Ancestral Hatred (WP: 45.25 gains 1/4 WP every kill made with it; longsword), Zoot's Reaper (WP:15; scythe, suitable to Hybros), Clock Cog (WP:14, retrievable), Banana Bladerang (WP:9, damage all, retrievable), Justice (WP:8, causes blinded-effect, dagger), Twin Kunai (WP:6, dual strike, daggers), Spinning Bolas (WP: 5, deals the Slowed effect, but the effect is removed when retrieved; retrievable), Wrench (WP:3, decreases the target’s level by 1, retrievable), Crescent Shield (SP: 5, halved damage from elemental attacks, shield) • Sticky Gloves (gains 50% more gold, suitable for Rogues, handwear), Baron's Epaulets (Suitable for short heroes, grants Command over short NPCs), Cloak of the Blue Assassin (SP:1, suitable to Rogues; backwear), Cloak of the Red megablocksassin (Chance of Assassination is 1/3, suitable for Assassins; backwear), Sterile Gloves (grants immunity to poisoned- and bleeding-effects, handwear), • Emerald, Garnet, Amethyst, Diamond, Ruby, Sapphire, Opal • 13 Potions, 12 Grand Potions, 16 Health Cores, 11 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, 3 Elixirs, 2 Phoenix Essences, 4 Phoenix Incenses, 2 Deadly Venoms, 3 Smoke Bombs, 3 Holy Bombs, 5 Nostrums, Mead, 2 Mulled Wines, Minimizing Dust, 3 Pumpkin Bombs (causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used), 2 Gold Rings (Worth 15 gold; can be given to someone to make them enamored with the giver), Skeleton Decoy, Bone, 3 Grand Tonics, Soma • Bedroll, Shovel, Pickaxe, 4 Mythril Shards, Crimson Haze (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects permanently) Skrall (Waterbrick Down) 81 year old Male Ogre Hunter Level 37.50 *Favors Demons and Humanoid enemies* *Immune to Fragile, Blinded, and Confused* *Gains 3x experience* Power Bonus: +2 WP Defense: 8 Health: 51/51 Gold: 83 Equipment: Hunter's Crossbow (WP:12/24 vs. Beasts, fire, ice, wind, and darkness-elemental), Hunter's Quiver (Bows and Crossbows +2WP, allows Hunters to favor two types of enemies, back wear), Tricorne (SP: 3, head wear), Heavy Armor (SP: 5, wearer is immune to fragile, blind, and confused effects, body wear), Medal of Glory (Wearer gains 3x experience from fights, accessory) Inventory: Composite Bow (WP:12, ignores SP, light, lightning, water, wood, and earth-elemental; bow), Oversized Greatsword (WP: 16 - Double damage on targets that are clearly smaller than the hero, greatsword) Wooden Shield (SP:5), Lucky Doubloon (Grants "Special Guard"), Darksteel Armour, SP:6, Max. Health +3; bodywear, 8 Smoke Bomb, 2 Dirt Bombs, Fire Bomb, 5 Water Bombs, Lightning Bomb, Minimizing Dust, 4 Bone, 6 Venoms, 1 Deadly Venoms, Potion, 1 Grand Potion, Phoenix Essence, 5 Phoenix Incenses, 3 Meads, 1 Nostrums, 1 Remedy, Blind Fury, Wolfgang Insignia, Black Goo, Feather of Lithe Nyx (played by Pandora) 19 years old Female Human Battle Mage *Natural Respite* *Immune to Fire, Darkness, Earth, Wind, Poisoned, Confused, Hexed, Sealed, Asleep, Fast Asleep* Level: 31.75 Power: 47 Defense: 8 Health: 42/42 Ether: 32/43 Gold: 282 Equipment: Zee Standard (Staff, WP: 15 Ice, Light and Darkness Elemental, Necromancers Raise Enemies with 2 extra levels), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:4, Max. Ether +5, protects from sealed-effect), Mirage Cloak (Immunity to Fire-, Darkness-, Earth- and Wind-elements and confused- asleep- and hexed-effects), High Heels (+1 Power), Helmet of Azzurat (SP:4, immune to poisoned, headwear). Inventory: Book of a Thousand Creatures (WP:15, each roll has a 1/6 chance to summon a creature to aid the hero), Lullaby Wand (WP:6 Sleep effect), Healing Staff (WP: 5), Darksteel Dagger WP: 13, blinded effect) Bone Scepter (WP: 10, On Hit, gives enemies the Undead type if they do not have a second type, Wand.) * Sandman's Parasol (Immune to Asleep and Fast Asleep effects), Monkey Bar (all minions, pets, summons etc are Hastened), Chef’s Apron (Bodywear, Immunity to Fire and Poisons), Phoenix Dress (Max. Ether +5, full ether restored upon revival, immunity to Fire and Lightning, suitable only to female mages, clerics, chi monks, minstrels and necromancers; bodywear), Desert Cloak (Immunity to Fire-, Earth- and Wind-elemental damage; backwear), Water Canteen (Carries 3 portions of water; essential in deserts to avoid dehydration; accessory), Bolero Of Fire (Cause Fire damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Minstrel Song), Scarlet Fascinator (Max. Ether +1, suitable to females only; headwear) *Ruby (Fire), Diamond (Light), Amethyst (Darkness), Topaz (Lightning), Sapphire (Wind), Emerald (Wood), Garnet (Earth), Aquamarine (Water), Opal (Ice).Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Arc Sealing, Scroll of Blindness. 3 Meads, 2 Nostrums, Ambrosia, Smelling Salts, 5 Deadly Venoms, Paralyzing Venom, Venom x6, 3 Phoenix Essences, 3 Cosmic Essences (Revives a knocked out ally with full health and ether and gives them the blessed-effect), 2 Potions, 4 Tonics, 2 Grand Tonics, Ether Core. Fire Bomb, Smoke Bomb, Skadi Bomb (100 Ice Elemental damage to all opponents), 2 Chaotic Bombs (Causes 100 random elemental damage to all opponents), Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned, poisoned, asleep, blinded, sealed and confused to all enemies). 2 Bedrolls, 5 Bones, Feather of Lithe Ellaria Arbour (Sandy) 23 years old female human Druid Level 28.66 *Immune to Sealing, Poisoned and Bleeding* *Ignis Fatuus: permanently poisoned by 15* Power: 40 (27+12) Defense: 7 (3+4) Health: 44/44 (9+26+7+1) Ether: 5/40 (5+26+5+1+2) Gold: 93 Equipment: Ignis Fatuus (WP:12, permanently poisoned by 15, fire- and lighting-elemental staff), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3, Max Ether +5, protects from sealing; bodywear), Sterile Gloves (immunity to poisoned and bleeding, handwear), Spider Helmet (SP:4, passes poisoned and bleeding effects to the enemy when the wearer is hit; headwear) Inventory: Weapons Sylvania's Crossbow (WP:10, wood-elemental crossbow), Pan Flute (WP: 7, instrument), Wizard's Staff (WP:1, fire-, wind-, water- and earth-elemental staff), Artefacts: Ranger's Quiver (WP: +1 to bows and crossbows. Suitable for rangers, beast warriors, infiltrators, and winged warriors), Spirit Robe (Renders wearer invisible to the enemy for the first three rounds of battle so they do not take free hits; backwear), Black Bandana (Power +3, pirate lingo; headwear), Spell Items: Scroll of Inspiration (Inspired for rest of battle, 10 ether, 50/50 chance) Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Frailty, Scroll of Weakening, Serenade of Water (Causes Water damage equal to the minstrel's level to all enemies per round for as long as the song is sung. Costs 10 ether per round. Battle Song), Ruby (Fire) Consumables: 3 Potions, 2 Grand Potions, 4 Health Cores, 4 Tonics, 5 Grand Tonics, Ether Core, Elixir, 2 Remedies, 2 Neutralizers, Tiger Balm, 2 Phoenix Essences, 2 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 2 Nostrum, 2 Soma, Ambrosia, Deadly Venom, 2 Smoke Bombs, Flash Bomb, 3 Fire Bombs, Ice Bomb, 2 Lightning Bombs, 2 Water Bombs, 2 Holy Bombs, Pumpkin Bomb (Causes stunned-, poisoned-, asleep-, blinded-, sealed- and confused-effects to all opponents when used.) Tools: Bedroll, Pickaxe, Telescope, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass Deborah, The Golden Warden Level 26 Warden *Immune to Afraid, Cursed, Hexed, Instant Kill* Power Bonus: 0 Health: 48/48 SP: 20 Equipment: Crossbow (WP: 10), Deborah's Helm (SP: 4, Immune to Afraid), Deborah's Armor (SP: 6, Immunity to Cursed, Hexed and Instant Kill), Shield of the She-Wolf (SP: 10, on rolls of damage/free hits user deals SP to opponent if they survive the attack) Inventory: Mead, Grand Potion, Soma x2, Ambrosia Minoid 2.0 Level 21.66 Drilling Automaton HP: 33/33 SP: 2 Equipment: Minoid Drill Arm (WP: 10), Iron Shell (SP: 2), Scanning Eye (Allows the Minoid to analyze most foes before battle. If in battle, it can spend a turn to analyze the fight) Inventory: None "Dreams may be no less real than this waking world," says Daneeka wheezily. "What I saw, I saw. Do not fear, Ellaria. If you found truths, I believe them to be true." "Do you not fear death, Nyx? I think we all do." He shrugs. "Maybe you do have a squishy brain. With a brain as sharp as a tac, I may have trouble knowing what not to fear." "STATEMENT: I do not know fear, but I will now. STATEMENT: I will fear death and pain and being in two places at once, as we should." "Just don't teach him the fear of deep places or tight spaces or he'll be useless to me," chuckles Heweyrt. "But which was what?" Ellaria's memory flares up. Even if she has trouble recalling it - which is possible, with what she's just been through - there is a passing inkling of a thought that perhaps she has met the woman before. OOC: The pictures are dark, but if your monitor is bright you'll see them. "Once you're done ruminating about life, are you all ready to go see what's on the other side of this wall?" asks Deborah, jerking her thumb towards the wall that stands behind her.

"Yo man, this guy is whack. He's a straight killer, yo! We can't be helping him, and I don't even know if I think we should take him to the people. I think we should take him off the island, you know?" Bobby shrugs. "Your call, boss man, but I ain't helping this dude."

Looks awesome. Great intro. Sorry for the delay 107, took me a while to get into the groove of things (getting all the side quests together) but updates coming right now.

Boomingham grimaces. "You wish to freeze to death? You don't wish your end to come more swiftly, at the very least? We've all done some good and some bad, but it doesn't mean we should be left to a slow death. Come with us, and I'll end your life quicker than the snow will, if that's what you want."

"Yo man, that's one sad megablocks story, but you can't go mess with other people's shiz just 'cause you don't like it. You gotta talk to them, or whatever. Or just learn to live with it, you know? That's the way things are."

"I'm not going to force any justice on you, but I imagine you'd want to take the Regret out with you if you're on the way out. If him humiliating you is what made you all sad sack like, it seems fitting you should punish him." Boomingham looks their new ally over. "You are the sort of man who'd want to do that, I expect."

OoC: Much thanks, Flipz. You are truly a hero. OoC: Story supersedes mechanics and it's easier to write "immune to all effects" as opposed to "immune to all effect excluding bleeding". Besides, the different note would have revealed a (minor minor) twist before it happened! "Oh shucks," says Malty, blushing deeply. He watches as the Chaos Beast explodes violently. "You folks sure weren't kidding about being dangerous! Looks like I hitched my horse to the right wagon." He smiles at Nerwen's kind remarks. "It is I who was lucky. I'd be dead if it weren't for you and your friends. I'm sorry I never got to tell you the tale of the song- I can do that now, if you like." "Yes, thank you!" exclaims the man. "You really bailed me out. My name is Mac." He tips his hat at the heroes. "You came just in the knick of time. I'm not much of a fighter, and that thing looked vicious! It came from over there, just ran right into the road!" He points off into the tall grass. It is easy to see the way the Chaos Beast came... and would be easy to find it's creator. "Shall we make these roads safe again, Matthias?" "I'm sure Purpearl will want to charge ahead and get to our charge. Good deeds hardly count if you're not getting paid for them, it seems."

Hey all, I'm back, updates will be rolling in!

"I say we take the more developed route. Seems to me we'll be killing off everyone in the Citadel sooner or later, may as well make it sooner. Better to take them in batches then to have them all bear down on us at once."

"Yo, we best be saving that dude. But I think we also gotta go find that a-hole who was talking through him. I'm all about people doing what they do but only if they ain't screwing any one else over, know what I'm saying, and that dude is screwing other people over."

Hey all, I was (very recently...) told that the film shoot I will be on this weekend will be in a place without Wi-Fi (and two hours away, so I can't come home every night). I will therefore be MIA until late Sunday. 102 - I believe your battle will be continued, but again this was relatively last minute for me, so that may not be the case. 107, role play away, and we will finish up the quest upon my return (we've got about a week left, maybe a week and a half tops). 105, keep at it. 110, same thing. Sorry about the spottiness, I can't give up my real life OR Heroica, so I'm constantly stuck between the two.

OoC: Welcome back, everyone! I am off for the weekend to a land without Wi-Fi, sadly, but I wanted to leave you to be able to role-play all together once more! I do not have time to format the stats right now (annoying, I know) but I will list the loot, and once it is divided and I have returned (late Sunday) we will be back on track! Only a bit left to go, anyway! The world is blurry, and then concrete. Before them, they see the others having a little argument. Before them is a wall, and above them, a leaking cave ceiling. "QUERY: Why do all creatures fear death if it is coming for them anyway?" "Come on, Minoid! Even you must fear death, somewhere in there. That's just the way mortals are. Our fatal flaw." He chuckles darkly. "You cannot blame the Minoid. He knew little of the world before we brought him down here, and even for those of us with experience what we just saw was view shattering. He was like a child." "We just met a child," Deborah remarks with a smirk. "Maybe, at least." "Great, he's a child, and we got to teach him the fear of death. Dandy." "An important fear." "No doubt about it." Heweyrt turns to the heroes, who are blinking and still trying to reconcile everything. "Ah, the rat pack is back. All in one piece, heroes? Back in one body? Strange, isn't it?" "I'm particularly glad I received the body without a hole in the stomach." Loot x2 Amethyst Bright Polish Grating Stone Paper Doll Ectoplasm

Bobby plunges back into the fray!

OoC: I don't know where the heck the second multiplier came from... but I'll leave it in! Thanks for the honesty. There was no second roll because the Chaos Beast is lucky on ODD ROUNDS, such as 1, 3, 5. Last round was round one, so his luck negated your luck. Lucky Chant should cost more, but you're right. Bleeding was originally -5, as far as I know, so that's how I'll treat it. Minor Chaos Conflict Round Two Malty sings the Lucky Chant! Nerwen v. Chaos Beast - Damage/Meditate aka Hit (([14+31]*2)-5=85) >Purpearl hands Alexis Regret's Cape Alexis receives Regret's Cape >XX - Nothing >Matthias - Nothing >Matthias - Nothing >Russel - Nothing >Russel - Nothing Malty continues to sing a merry tune. Nerwen rips another hole in the beast, and black goo pours out. Chaos Beast loses 20 health due to bleeding The Enemies Master Chaos Beast *Immune to Negative Effects and Instant Kills* *Lucky on odd rounds* *Bleeding -20* Level 40 Demon Health: 249/600 SP: 5 Special: (Determined by a second dice roll) Chaos - 1 – 25 Damage, 2 – 45 Damage, 3 – -5 Bleeding Effect Inflicted, 4 – 100 Damage to Self, 5 – 10 Damage to each Hero (Regardless of row/SP), 6 – -1 WP to Hero’s Weapon (Permanent) Passive Special I: One in Ten - The Chaos Beast is lucky on odd rounds. Passive Special II: Amateur Craftsman - All blows against the Chaos Beast give the bleeding -10 effect to it. Drops: 150 Gold, Ether Core The Party Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 46.4 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 74/74 Gold: 1552 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental) Ring of Sight (protects from blinded), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Death's Whip (WP:11, on successful hits there is a 1/6 chance to cause double damage), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, light-elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4; staff), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Smelly Hide (Suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, half damage from beasts and humanoids on Damage, bodywear), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 9 Remedies, 7 Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2 Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Mulled Wine, 2 Grating Stones, Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants User Dual-Strike, User Cannot Wield a Shield, Handwear), Nostrum x2, Town Watch Halberd (WP: 6), Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow), Regret's Cape (Backwear, grants immunity to first negative effect afflicted each battle) XX Level 34.5 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* Health: 22/50 Defense: 0 Gold: 370 Equipment: XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an Alchemist, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation) Inventory: Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x6, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Fire Bombs (3), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (3), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* Level 31.25 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 53/53 Ether: 31/36 Gold: 91 Equipment: Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14, Light Elemental, Meditate becomes hits, longsword), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile, bodywear), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), White Cloak (Max. HP +3, back wear) Inventory: Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Inflicts Fragile, Fire-Elemental), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired, Accessory, Suitable for Paladins), Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to Light and Jinxed, Suitable for Knights), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to Ice and Water, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors)• Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles, accessory), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; body wear) • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom (4), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Ether Core, Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), Smelling Salts, x2 Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow) • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* *Blessed* Level 15.5 Power: 30 Health: 23/23 Ether: 21/21 Gold: 176 (Owes Karie 25 gold) Equipment: Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Thorny Rose (WP: 17,wood-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Bedroll, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic (x2), Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone, Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Venom (x2), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Remedy (x2), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and -3 poisoned to all foes), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer Gemstones: Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Opal, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-,Darkness-elemental; staff) Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 15 Ranger *Blessed* *Hastened* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 20/20 Gold: 104 Equipment: Peashooter (WP: 2, deals the burning by 2 effect), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers), Inventory: Steel Cutlass (Sword, WP:5, suitable for Knights or Rogues), Grimmau's Clothespin (Headwear, prevents the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle), Winged Sandals (Footwear, protects from Bound and Slowed effects), Grating Stone, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Ball and Chain (Chain, WP: 4), Staff (WP: 4), Elixir, Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect), 2x Red Death Blood (When applied to weapon Doomed is dealt on the first blow), Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle), Remedy Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 21 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 4 Health: 34/34 Defense: 4 Gold: 241 Equipment: Crabspirator (WP: 16, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Pigley (+4 Power, +4 Max Health, Hastened, Not an Artifact), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Crab Shell Armor (Body Wear, +4 Max Health, 4 SP) Inventory: Rebel's Sword (Longsword, WP: 11), Venom, Smelling Salt Malty Level 31 Minstrel Health: 50/50 Defense: 1 Ether: 31/34 Equipment: Vocal Cords (Suitable for Malty, WP: 8, cannot be de-equipped, WP cannot be lowered), Traveller's Cloak (Backwear, SP: 1) Inventory: Potion x2, Remedy, Tonic, Seven Stars for Seven Lords (Boosts the party's power and health by 7 for round. Costs 7 ether), Lost Lovers (Enamors one foe with one ally for the round. Costs 5 ether). OoC: More than willing to auto run... but without the time at the moment! In a few hours I should have more time.

Boomingham flexes his hand, his eyes on the Regret, then Masson, then Em. "It's your call."

As I explained with Natural Respite (either here or in 107) I believe things I forget often should not be real effects. But also no, you did not, just rolled a five. "I will be certain to keep an eye on them!" the singer declares merrily. Minor Chaos Conflict Round One Malty sings the Lucky Chant (-10 ether, all heroes lucky) Alexis uses Demon Repellent on Nerwen Nerwen v. Chaos Beast - Critical Hit (([14*2]+31*2*2)-5=231 Damage Dealt) >Purpearl - Does Nothing >XX - Does Nothing >Matthias - Dapper Hat for Quickdraw Quiver >Matthias - Nothing >Russel - Does Nothing >Russel - Does Nothing The heroes are incredibly generous to the voice in the sky, and make the combat nice and simple! Nerwen strides forward and deals the Demon a terrific blow. It cries out the sound of a thousand distant souls in anguish. Ink leaks forward from it. It is clear to Alexis, having dealt with Chaos Beasts before, that this is not a particularly well made one. With the wound, the beast begins to bleed relatively freely - as if it was barely held together in the first place! Chaos Beast loses 10 health due to bleeding The Enemies Master Chaos Beast *Immune to Negative Effects and Instant Kills* *Lucky on odd rounds* *Bleeding -10* Level 40 Demon Health: 359/600 SP: 5 Special: (Determined by a second dice roll) Chaos - 1 – 25 Damage, 2 – 45 Damage, 3 – Bleeding Effect Inflicted, 4 – 100 Damage to Self, 5 – 10 Damage to each Hero (Regardless of row/SP), 6 – -1 WP to Hero’s Weapon (Permanent) Passive Special I: One in Ten - The Chaos Beast is lucky on odd rounds. Passive Special II: Amateur Craftsman - All blows against the Chaos Beast give the bleeding -10 effect to it. Drops: 150 Gold, Ether Core The Party Alexis Fenral, Orc-kin (Party Leader) *Immune to Blinded* *Counterstriking* *Blessed* 22 year old female elven Harlot Level 46.4 Power Bonus: 0 Defense: 0 Health: 74/74 Gold: 1552 GP: 9 Equipment: Steel fan (WP:20, ice-, lightning-, and darkness-elemental) Ring of Sight (protects from blinded), Counterstrike Gloves, Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Cat-o'-Nine-Tails (WP: 20, damage divided between all enemies, Suitable For Rouges), Death's Whip (WP:11, on successful hits there is a 1/6 chance to cause double damage), Healing Staff (WP: 5; healing effect), Staff of Ennon (WP: 5, light-elemental, Restores 2 ether on a roll of 2, 3, or 4; staff), Electro Gear (Adds lightning-element to physical attacks and protects from lightning-elemental damage, accessory), Smelly Hide (Suitable for barbarians and beast warriors, half damage from beasts and humanoids on Damage, bodywear), Aquamarine (Water), Diamond (Light), Sapphire (Wind), Topaz (lightning), Fifty Shades of Bley, Bedroll, Magic Compass, Magnifying Glass, 2 Somas, 5x Venom, 2x Deadly Venom, Health Core, 6x Potion, Grand Potion, 9 Meads, 2 Smelling Salts, 9 Remedies, 7 Grand Potions, Skeleton Decoy, 8x Bone, Deadly Venom, 2 Kraken Fangs (grants hastened- and reinforced-effects when consumed), Silver Ore (worth 60 gold), Winged Sandals (artifact; footwear; protects from bound and slowed effects), 2x Titan Heart (Grants encouraged- and inspired-effects when consumed), Mulled Wine, 2 Grating Stones, Lieutenant's Helmet (SP:3, protects from fragile), Crimson Venom (Causes a weapon to deal the poisoned by 7 and cursed effects for the duration of one battle), Medal of Glory (Artefact/Accessory - Mark of true talent that allows the wearer to gain triple experience from battles), Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Magnar's Smaller Axe (Grants User Dual-Strike, User Cannot Wield a Shield, Handwear), Nostrum x2, Town Watch Halberd (WP: 6), Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow) XX Level 34.5 Cannoneer/Alchemist *Blessed* Health: 22/50 Defense: 0 Gold: 370 Equipment: XX Hand Cannon (WP: 12, Ignores SP), XX Ammo Belts (As an Alchemist, XX can only receive rolls ending in "Bomb", excluding Bravado Brew and Explosion, as a Cannonner Bomb XX and Bomb XXX are added to possible creations), Cannoneer's Sashes (The damage output of bombs consumed are added to the WP of the Cannoneer's weapon before damage calculation) Inventory: Dangerous Dagger (WP: 20, Fire-Elemental), Phoenix Essence, Mead x3, Ruby, Military Grade Fire Bomb x6, Bomb XX (Deals 30 Damage to all foes and 10 to all allies, ignoring row/SP) x2, Fire Bombs (3), Ice Bombs (2), Lightning Bombs (3), Water Bombs (9), Dirt Bombs (5), Air Bomb, Venom (x5), Nostrum Nerwen Calmcacil (played by Chromeknight) 263 year old female Elven Paladin *Immune to Fragile* *Blessed* Level 31.25 Power bonus: 0 Defense: 16 Health: 53/53 Ether: 31/36 Gold: 91 Equipment: Sword of the Warrior of the Light (WP: 14, Light Elemental, Meditate becomes hits, longsword), Orc Barbed Shield (SP: 11), Heavy Armor (SP:5, Immune to Fragile, bodywear), Sylvania's Cowl (Permits Animal Talk, Headwear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), White Cloak (Max. HP +3, back wear) Inventory: Sword of the Red Lizard (Longsword, WP:10, fire-elemental), Mourning Star (WP: 10, Inflicts Fragile, Fire-Elemental), Bent Crowbar (WP: 8; 3x damage to Mechanic enemies; hammer), Axe of the Minotaur Champion (WP: 30; user is Slowed and Immune to Hastened; cannot be equipped at the same time as a shield; axe), Shield of the Red Lizard (SP: 2, Immune to Blind), Seal of the Warrior Priestess (At the beginning of the battle the user has a 1/6 chance to be Transcended, a 1/6 chance to be Blessed, and a 1/6 chance to be Inspired, Accessory, Suitable for Paladins), Helm of the Lord of Light (Headwear, Immunity to Light and Jinxed, Suitable for Knights), Nordic Stomach Guard (SP: 3, Immunity to Ice and Water, Bodywear, Suitable for Barbarians, Regulators, and Beast Warriors)• Medal of Valor (Double experience from battles, accessory), Robe of the Archmagi (SP:3; Max Ether +5; Immune to Sealed; body wear) • Topaz • No Scrolls • Grand Tonics (3), Potions (4), Elixirs (2), Remedies (6), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Essence of Sorrow (50% assassination chance on non-immune target), Venom (4), Bone, Milk (restores 15 HP and 15 Ether), Ether Core, Grand potion, Ambrosia (4), Smelling Salts, x2 Red Death Blood (If applied to a weapon the Doomed effect is dealt on first blow) • Shovel, Bedroll, Magnifying Glass Purpearl Berthadhiell, the Carnival Crusader (Purpearljellyblob) *Party Leader* 180 Years Old Female Elven Mage *Evasive* *Blessed* Level 15.5 Power: 30 Health: 23/23 Ether: 21/21 Gold: 176 (Owes Karie 25 gold) Equipment: Crimson Arcanon (Wand WP:3), Tunic of Elven Acrobat (+4 HP, Provides Evasion Effect with 1/3 chance to completely avoid rolls of COUNTER, DAMAGE and Free Hits, torso wear), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed) Inventory: Thorny Rose (WP: 17,wood-elemental, deals the poisoned by 3 effect, mace), Heavy Armour (SP: 5, immune to fragile, suitable for suitable for barbarians, knights, dragoons, skirmishers and regulators), Bedroll, Potion (x3), Grand Tonic (x2), Raw Sushi (Consumable, Restores 5 Health and 5 Ether), Tasty Pretzel (x2) (1/3 chance each of granting lucky, hastened and encouraged-effects upon consumption), Mead, Ambrosia, Bone, Tinyshroom, Level Up Mushroom, Venom (x2), Crocodile Handbag (Max Ether +2; accessory), Remedy (x2), Muddy Bomb (deals blinded and -3 poisoned to all foes), Tiger Balm, Neutralizer, Regret's Cape (Backwear, grants immunity to first negative effect afflicted each battle) Gemstones: Ruby (Fire), Topaz (Lightning), Amethyst (Darkness), Opal, Diamond, Garnet, Sapphire, Emerald, Aquamarine Scrolls: Scroll of Sleep, Scroll of Sealing, Scroll of Blindness, Scroll of Weakening, Scroll of Fragile, Scroll of Confusion, Magical Staff (WP: 15; Water-,Darkness-elemental; staff) Matthias the Carnival Crusader (nstickney) Level 15 Ranger *Blessed* *Hastened* Power Bonus: 1 Defense: 0 Health: 20/20 Gold: 104 Equipment: Peashooter (WP: 2, deals the burning by 2 effect), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Quickdraw Quiver (permanent hastened-effect, suitable to Rangers), Inventory: Steel Cutlass (Sword, WP:5, suitable for Knights or Rogues), Grimmau's Clothespin (Headwear, prevents the first negative effect inflicted on the wearer during a battle), Winged Sandals (Footwear, protects from Bound and Slowed effects), Grating Stone, 2x Smoke Bomb, Bedroll, Fang Dagger (WP: 4), Ball and Chain (Chain, WP: 4), Staff (WP: 4), Elixir, Magnar’s Unreasonably Cruel Axe (WP: 12, Deals the Bleeding -3 Effect), 2x Red Death Blood (When applied to weapon Doomed is dealt on the first blow), Dapper Hat (wearer has a 1/6 chance of being Encouraged at the start of any battle), Remedy Russel Ruffers & Sir Pigley Level 21 Rogue *Hastened* *Blessed* Power Bonus: 4 Health: 34/34 Defense: 4 Gold: 241 Equipment: Crabspirator (WP: 16, deals the Blinded effect, darkness elemental, longsword), Pigley (+4 Power, +4 Max Health, Hastened, Not an Artifact), Blood Oath Medallion (Accessory, Blessed), Crab Shell Armor (Body Wear, +4 Max Health, 4 SP) Inventory: Rebel's Sword (Longsword, WP: 11), Venom, Smelling Salt Malty Level 31 Minstrel Health: 50/50 Defense: 1 Ether: 24/34 Equipment: Vocal Cords (Suitable for Malty, WP: 8, cannot be de-equipped, WP cannot be lowered), Traveller's Cloak (Backwear, SP: 1) Inventory: Potion x2, Remedy, Tonic, Seven Stars for Seven Lords (Boosts the party's power and health by 7 for round. Costs 7 ether), Lost Lovers (Enamors one foe with one ally for the round. Costs 5 ether).

I think it's more than fair to have trepidation about giving NPCs to other people. I'm scared of doing it too. I probably should have bolded this part too: I think that the duty (and failure - not that it's a major failure, but a minor one at least) at this point falls more on us other QMs. I also just watched the episode of Bob's Burgers where Bob goes to a conference with all his forum buddies and they think he's a bit of a jerk because he never uses "lol" or an emoticon when he's teasing someone... so in regards to "Warlbarten's sudden evil turn" I will include a . But yes, no further discussion of 100 yet.

Okay, 104. I'm going to give rambling thoughts - if I had more time, I may organize them, but I don't and I really want to get them out there before they become irrelevant or obsolete. First off, I'd like to thank Flipz for returning to Dastan. I feel that no one would be surprised if I were to say Dastan is close to my heart. I love the characters there, and I love the setting. I love that, like Eubric, we have been offered the opinion of many QMs (hell, Khrone just landed and I'm already loving it). I believe I have spoken in the past as to the beauty of this games mythos - with multiple visions (and some inconsistent ones) I feel in many ways we are building a sort of "oral legend" - not all accounts are the same, but they all have the same voice at the core, the same values, some similar ideas, etc. The more people who approach something (an idea, a land) the more fleshed out it becomes. Flipz, I think you handled my characters admirably. I sent you a critique (hopefully as constructive as I hoped and not at all critical) after the very first exposition bit, but I'm not sure I even should have. I was happy to have someone else voice them. I think you did them all a great service. Again, I don't think I'd shock anyone if I said I love all my Dastan NPCs as they've all been around for a while now (Phil since my very first quest ). But enough about me - this was a Flipz quest (the first!) and we should discuss that! So, story: it was a little difficult for me to see how clearly it was told because you gave me an outline beforehand. So, I felt it was crystal clear... but even with that, I think there were some parts that may have been confusing if I didn't know exactly what was happening. There were a LOT of threads to follow. Dragonlord and Diana, Rito v. Dragoons, Dragoons v. each other, Dragoons in love with Bellanotte (that story line could have easily been abandoned or pushed into a follow up quest), the Fey One... it comes down to another critique I had of Pie at the end of Dark of the Moon. Sometimes when there's too much shoe horned in just because we appreciate the lore, it starts to muddle things instead of high lighting them. BUT, let's look at the good, and then a bit of the bad. The Dastan bits really did feel fantastic. I loved the stuff in the capitol. Tarban was an interesting inclusion - it felt a little black and white, but sometimes that's how things are in the real world. It wasn't a moral dilemma, but not everything has to be. Like I said, I think you handled the politics well, and the characters involved too. I liked the introduction to the Dark Forest too. The Dark Druids are cool, and it is a nice thread to see that I'm sure someone else (or you) will pick up. The Fairies were cool too! Really let us dip our toes into the water. I loved the way that Phil treated the heroes at Domus, and I have some stuff for the new leader of the Dragon Knights (assuming you're alright with it) so I'm glad you introduced her and we can flip flop the tables with me voicing someone you came up with. I like characters who are dismissive of heroes (as long as they're mixed in with supportive cast) and she felt very justified. I liked the Dragoons too. They were cool character design, and cool character. The Dragonlord... I'd actually have to disagree with Pie. I really liked that he was included. I'd like to see more of the Veterans. I like seeing them take an active role. And I think you played him well. It was interesting to explore his relationship with the Shadeaux - they aren't exactly allies, but by necessity they sort of are as well. I like that, and I like that it was brought to the front. I think where things got clunky was him coming with the heroes... it felt weird that he sort of just said "good luck" once they arrived in Dastan. The Dragonlord, as played by Sandy so far (and, heck, what do I really know about the Dragonlord, this is for Sandy to comment on) seems a man of severe action. So that felt dishonest. I'm extremely glad, however, to see him featured. Sandy has a ton of characters, and they're all cool, but there are so many to juggle I feel that some of them come off as archetypal... which is also awesome, but it's nice to see someone else add dimension as well. There are simply too many key players for Sandy to handle it all on his own. So, some bad things (still tinged with good). The Fey One was a very cool addition... but too much (I felt). We have a ton of lore here, but like I said at the beginning, it begins to muddle the message of the quest if you just start to toss stuff in. Just the Fairy would have been cool - let the Fey One come next time. Same could be said for the Demon of Lust. Again, cool lore, not really quest specific, and sort of muddled things up. I think it was cool to have someone other than Sandy introduce a demon (if I were head of Heroica... and again, Sandy, I respect all the choices you make but still feel I can voice a different technique I would follow... I would have let someone else introduce a few demons, a few veterans, even some houses... I think there's too many for any one person to flesh out from beginning to end... and I think Sandy is pretty willing to let people flesh stuff out, but I imagine people feel that they must wedge them into quests instead of focus quests on them, so perhaps that's on us instead of Sandy: as I said, this is rambling). The biggest issue I had, beyond the enormous amount of lore, was the Dragoon's rationale for leaving the Shadeaux. Pitched to me, it sort of made sense, but somehow it looked all weird and convoluted in quest. Red Dude wanted to impress Purple Dude because Purple Dude's brother had a problem but they couldn't talk so Purple Dude chases Red Dude so Red Dude tries to kill Purple Dude because Purple Dude is confused but still his best friend? Seems like a lot. I don't know. Also why wouldn't the Shadeaux just go grab Purple Dude's brother? They have the money, and Purple Dude is important to them. It needed more force behind it, I felt. Finally, a note on early quests both for a QM and a PC. It relates back to lore. With more experienced PCs, you can throw more lore at them, because chances are there will be more for them to grab onto. I don't have an issue throwing three houses into one quest for a more experienced party, because chances are high one or two heroes will know one or two houses. With new heroes, they probably won't know them. That's just an example. Same can be said for vast number of NPCs, political conflict, demons, religions, etc. The more experienced the party (heroes and players) the more they have to latch onto. If you give them all this info at once, it becomes a sorting job. If they already know the info and present it to them with new info or a new lens, they are able to see how it ties into your specific plot instead of just trying to keep up. I think (and you may shoot me for saying this, because I feel we differ here in opinion) you gave the heroes too much freedom. The Demon Germ was a cool character, but was incredibly distracting reading the quest because he had a myriad of extra stuff going on... and the side quests often felt totally unrelated to the main quest. I'm also still incredibly confused by the whole deal with Siercon and the letter from Ella. Seriously, what the hell happened there? What did any of that mean? Why'd he fake the letter? Why'd Mallelio buy it? Why'd Ella only give it to him? Enormously confused. Still, over all an awesome awesome quest. I think we were all on the edge of our seat to see what happened, and you didn't disappoint. I look forward immensely to what you have to offer. And Diana was awesome. That I think alone would have been enough to justify the quest. I wish she hadn't murdered her mother... but she is the first even semi fleshed out and sympathetic character from the Wolfgang we've seen, which is something we've been told to trust in for years. I'd list Warlbarten as well, but she just suddenly took a turn for the evil. This is the first time I've still disliked a Wolfganger, but at least felt they're opinion is backed up, and they're three-dimensional, and they've got a sincere alliance with some heroes beyond "we can offer you gold if you suddenly think our crusade is justified". Congrats. :thumbup: